PART II
ANDREAE BERGOMENSIS HISTORIA [..., p. 66-]
ANDREAS OF BERGAMO, HISTORY
1. We found the deeds of the Lombards collected and narrated in an orderly way by the learned Paul in a volume subdivided into six books. In this summary we have then tried to put together a few of those many events and, as much as God has helped us, we have attempted to write them briefly in this little history.
In the northern region of Europe, on the boundaries of Germany, there is an island called Scandinavia. [1] We read that on that island the population was divided into three parts by lot because of the great multitude of peoples; those of the third part, chosen by lot, were called Winili. [2] Having elected as their leaders the brothers Ibor and Aio and their mother Gambara, [3] they left Scandinavia and arrived in a region that is called Scoringa, where they lived for some years.
The Winili were young and had flowing beards, and, in order to appear numerous to those who saw them, even their women untied their hair and arranged it on their faces iike a beard. For this reason they were thereafter called Lombards. [4] In that place they obtained their first victory against the Vandals. [5]
Because of a famine, they left Scoringa and entered Mauringa. Then they went to Gotholand, [6] where they remained for a while. As Ibor and Aio had meanwhile died, the Lombards established over them their first king; his name was Agilmund. He ruled the Lombards for thirty-three years. They then went to a certain river where Lamissio battled an Amazon and defeated her. [8]
The Lombards crossed that river and arrived in the lands beyond it. There, as they had become too confident and were negligently relaxed, the Bulgarians attacked them at night while everybody was sleeping, slaying many of them and killing King Agilmund as well.
Tlte survivors gathered and established Lamissio as king over them. They wished to revenge themselves against the Bulgarians. So they did. From that time onwards the Lombards became more audacious. [9]
After Lamissio’s death, Lethu reigned in his place for forty years. When he died, he left the kingdom to his son Hildeoc. He having died too, Godioc lookup the kingdom. [10] The Lombards then went to Rugiland, where they remained for a while because it was fertile. [11] At Godioc’s death, his son Claffo succeeded him. He having died, Claffo’s son Tato rose to kingship. After leaving Rugiland, the Lombards lived for three years in the open plains,
1. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, I.
2. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 2. The passage is not clear as Andreas of Bergamo summarizes too much. According to Paul the Deacon, because Scandinavia was overpopulated, the inhabitants were divided into three parts and it was determined by lot who had to leave the island.
3. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 3.
4. «Langobardi» derives from «lang bart» which means «long beard.»
5. Paul (he Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 7-10.
6. Golanda in Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 13.
7. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. I, 7-14.
8. Paul (he Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 15.
9. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 16-18.
10. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 18.
11. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 19.
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where they fought and obtained victory against the Heruls. The power of the Heruls declined to such a degree that thereafter they had no king over them any more. [12] At Tato’s death, Wacho reigned. He attacked the Sueves and subjugated them to his dominion. [13] When Wacho passed away, he left the kingdom to his son Walthari. He having died too, Audoin reigned in his place. [14]
Audoin had a son named Alboin. As the Gepids had attacked the Lombards, Alboin routed them with great carnage. [15] At Audoin’s death, his son Alboin succeeded him in the kingdom. He married Clothsuinda, daughter of the King of the Franks, Lothar. [16] He made an everlasting peace with the Avars and defeated the King of the Gepids, Gunimund. The Lombards acquired so much loot that they were greatly enriched. The Gepids were subjugated by the Lombards. The Lombards then settled in Pannonia and their fame greatly grew far and wide. [17]
Narses, who was then ruling Rome and Italy and was preparing the war against the King of the Goths, Totila, sent ambassadors to Alboin so that he would help him against the Goths. Alboin then sent a select contingent across the Adriatic Sea. As they arrived in Italy, the Lombards joined the Romans and began to fight against the Goths. When the Goths as well as their King Totila were exterminated, the Lombards, honored with many gifts, returned as victors to their homeland. The Lombards helped the Romans for all the period they lived in Pannonia. [18]
Patrician Narses fought the wars of the Romans and always defended them. [19] The Romans were envious of him and accused him to Emperor Justinian. [20] The Augustus and his wife Sophia sent Narses a message saying that, because he was a eunuch, they would make him come to them and have him work wool in the gynaeceum. Patrician Narses answered her that he would not only work wool for Sophia, hut he would also weave her such a web that she could not lay it down as long as she lived. [21]
Narses sent the Lombards messengers and different kinds of fruit and other riches in order to make them eager to come to Italy, which was well supplied with them, and to conquer Italy without fighting. [22]
As soon as they heard that, the Lombards rejoiced greatly and gave Pannonia, [23] which thev had owned for forty-two years, to their friends, the people of the Avars. [24] They left Pannonia with their wives, children, and everything they had in the month of April, in the first indiction, on the day after Easter, that was the kalends of April, when 568 years already passed from the incarnation of the Lord. [25] The Lombards entered Italy through the territory of the Friulans.
12. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 20.
13. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 21.
14. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 22.
15. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 23.
16. The correct name is Clothar.
17. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, I, 27. In reality Paul the Deacon says that the name of Alboin became famous everywhere.
18. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, I.
19. Narses led the Byzantine troops during the last phase of the war in Italy between the Byzantines and the Ostrogoths.
20. During this period the emperor was Justin II (565-578). Justinian ruled from 527 to 565.
21. Cf. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 5, who narrates that the emperor replaced Narses with Longinus.
22. Cf. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 5, who does not mention the last detail.
23. Pannonia corresponds approximately to present-day Hungary.
24. Cf. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 8. Paul the Deacon writes Huns, a definition that several medieval authors used for the Avars.
25. Some scholars believe that the Lombards entered Italy in 569. See, for example, Bertolini, La data
dell’ingresso dei Longobardi in Italia, pp. 19-61.
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Alboin gave Cividale2 [6 ]and some Lombard nobles to his nephew Gisulf. [27] In those days, the Lombards invaded Italy, took Vicenza, Verona, and other cities of the Venetias, [28] and besieged Ticinum [29] for three years. Meanwhile Alboin conquered everything as far as Tuscia, [30] except Rome and Ravenna. [31]
The Ticinians held out for three years thanks to the hostages they had given. Seeing that their troops had already surrendered, they surrendered to the Lombards. [32]
I will say a few things out of many.
After reigning for three years and six months, King Alboin was killed because of a plot organized by his wife. [33]
By common decision the Lombards elected the most noble Cleph as king in the city of the Ticinians; he reigned for a year and six months. His throat was cut with a sword by a man of his retinue. [39] After his death, the Lombards had no king for ten years, but remained under the rule of the dukes. [36]
After ten years, they elected Authari, Cleph’s son. [37] Authari married a woman named Theodelinda, the saintly and most noble daughter of the Bavarians’ King Garibald. [38] She built the church of Saint John, located in Monza. [39]
King Authari, as they narrate, died in Ticinum from taking poison after reigning for six years. [40]
By common decision the Lombards gave their queen Theodelinda the permission to marry whomever she wanted and to make him king.
Why should I say more? She took the Duke of the Turinese, Agilulf. [41] He reigned for twenty-five years, then died. [42]
And his son Adaloald reigned in his place for ten years. He was driven out from the kingdom. [43]
Arioald took his kingdom, reigned for twelve years, and died. [44]
In his place reigned Rothari who wrote the Edict of the Lombards. [45] Are not the other things concerning his ruie, his strength, and the wars he had made written in the chronicle of the Lombards, like the things mentioned above? [46]
26. Cividale is the modern name of Forum Iulii.
27. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 9.
28. Paul the Deacon writes Venetia which was the name of the VIII provincia Venetia et Histria, created by the Roman Emperor Diocletian at the end of the third century: Azzara, Venetiae, pp. 9-69. Paul the Deacon adds that Alboin did not conquer Padua, Monselice, and Mantua. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 14.
29. Pavia is the modern name of Ticinum. Andreas of Bergamo utilized both this term and Papia.
30. Tuscia corresponds roughly to modern Tuscany and northern Latium.
31. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 26.
32. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 27.
33. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, It, 28. Alboin died in 572.
34. Cleph (572-574).
35. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 31.
36. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, II, 32.
37. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, III, 16.
38. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, III, 30.
39. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 21.
40. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, III, 35. Authari (584-590).
41. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, III, 35.
42. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 41. Agilulf (590-616).
43. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 41. Paul the Deacon narrates that Adaloald was a young boy when he succeeded his father and that he was overthrown because he went mad. Adaloald ruled with his mother Theodolinda from 616 to 626.
44. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 41 42, who says that Arioald ruled for ten years (626-636).
45. Rothari had the Lombard laws written down. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 42.
46. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 45.
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Rothari reigned for sixteen years and died. [47] He left the kingdom to his son Rodoald. As Rodoald had raped the wife of a certain man, he was killed by this man after reigning for five years and seven days. [48]
Aripert succeeded him in the kingdom. [49] He reigned for nine years and died. [50] He left the kingdom to his two sons, Perctarit and Godepert. [51] Some evil men created discord between the two brothers to a such degree that each invaded the kingdom of the other.
Deceptively invited by a messenger of theirs, the Duke of the Beneventans, Grimoald, came to them and killed Godepert with a sword, one year and six months after the death of their father. [52] Perctarit fled and Grimoald took the kingdom. [53]
There are many stories about him, [54] but I will write a few of them in this summary. He composed nine chapters in the Edict of the Lombards. [55] He reigned for nine years and died. [56] He left the kingdom to his son Garibald. [57]
Perctarit, who, as we have already said, had fled, departed from Gaul, and embarked on a ship to pass over to the island of Britain, to the kingdom of the Saxons. And while he was sailing through the sea, a divine messenger called him from the shore and told him: «Perctarit, return to your land, because today is the third day since Grimoald died.» [58]
Why should I say more?
Perctarit went back and was received by the Lombards with joy; they put him at the head of the kingdom three months after Grimoald’s death. [59]
Perctarit reigned for seventeen years and died. [60] He left the kingdom to his son Cunipert. [61] We have found many written accounts about him.
He underwent many troubles from the tyrant Alahis, but, by God’s will, Cunipert obtained the triumph of the victory. [62] After the death of his father, he reigned in Italy for twelve years. [63] He constructed a monastery in honor of the blessed martyr George in the plain of Coronate [64] where he had fought against Alahis. [65]
He left his kingdom to his son Liutpert. Aripert rebelled against Liutpert, captured him alive [66] and, after not many days, deprived him of his life in a bath. [67]
Aripert reigned for twelve years. [68] He drowned in the river Ticinum. [69]
Ansprand took his kingdom; he reigned for three months.
He left his kingdom to his son Liutprand. [70]
47. Rothari (636-652).
48. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 48. Rodoald actually ruled lor only five months (852-858). The confusion between years and days is present in Paul the Deacon’s work as well.
49. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 48.
50. Aripert (853-661).
51. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 51.
52. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, IV, 51. Godeperl (661-662).
53. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, V, 1-3.
54. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, V, 5, 7, 9, 10, 16, 19-22, 25-29, 32, 33.
55. Paul the Deacon reports only that Grimoald added a few chapters to the Edict. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, V, 33. The information provided by Andreas of Bergamo is correct. See Grimualdi Leges, pp. 129-135.
56. Grimoald (662-671).
57. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. V, 33.
58. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. V, 33.
59. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. V, 33.
60. Perctarit (672-688).
61. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. V, 37.
62. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. V, 38-41.
63. Cunipert (688-700).
64. Coronate d’Adda is near Como (North Italy).
65. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 17.
66. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 19.
67. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. VI, 20. Liutpert (700-701).
68. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. VI, 35. Aripert II (701-712).
69. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 35.
70. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 35.
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Liutprand was very learned, merciful, virtuous, eloquent, tireless worshipper, and generous in alms. [71] He augmented the laws of the Lombards and ordered them to he written in the collection of the Edict. [72] He reigned for thirty-one years and seven months and died. [73]
2. For whom this seems incredible, the above-written summary contains all the History of the Lombards. [74] There you can find all these things truthfully written as well as it has been done here; many other things can be found there about their nobility and victories and the wars they waged.
The things written above in this summary, I, the priest Andreas, although unworthy, [75] look from the History of the Lombards in so far as I could. The things written below did not come to our knowledge from their histories, but I truthfully learned them from some letters and some old men and I have enjoyed writing them here.
3. Liutprand having then died, Ratchis was elected by the Lombards and made king. [76] He reigned for five years [77] and put eight chapters in the Edict. [78]
He having died too, he left the kingdom to his brother Aistulf. [79]
We cannot report their deeds, but, in so far as we have heard, they were both brave and in their times the Lombards were not afraid of any people. [80]
Aistulf reigned for eight years, [81] put thirteen chapters in the Edict, [82] and died.
He left the kingdom to Desiderius. [83] After reigning for three years, with the agreement of the Lombards, he appointed his son as king under him. Their times were somewhat peaceful.
Desiderius also gave in marriage one of his daughters, named Berterad, [84] to the King of the Franks, Charles, [85] Pippin’s son. [86] He gave another daughter, named Liutperga, in marriage to the King of the Bavarians, Tassilo. [87] Both parties signed a very strong peace, but they did not preserve it at all.
This was the cause of the discord. Charles had an elder brother named Carloman, [88] a terrible and evil man. The choleric Carloman rose against Charles and had him swear that he would not have Berterad as his wife anymore.
Why should I say more?
71. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 58.
72. Paul the Deacon does not mention this detail. For the laws issued by Liutprand, see Livtprandi Leges, pp. 137-235.
73. Liutprand (712-744).
74. Paul the Deacon’s Historia Langobardorum,
75. This was a common topos among medieval authors. Curtius, European Literature and the Latin Middle Ages, pp. 83-85.
76. Liutprand was succeeded by his nephew Hildeprand. After eight months of rule, Hildeprand was deposed and the Duke of Friuli, Ratchis, ascended to the throne. Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, p. 45.
77. Ratchis (744-749).
78. Ratchis added fourteen chapters. See Ratchis Leges, pp. 233-247.
79. Ratchis actually retired to the monastery of Montecassino, probably as a result of a coup. Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, p. 45.
80. For Aistulf’s rule, see the introduction, "Carolingian Italy."
81. Aistulf (749-756).
82. Aistulf added twenty-two chapters to the Edict. See Ahistulfi Leges, pp. 279-291.
83. Upon Aistulf’s death, Ratchis tried to take possession of the Lombard crown, but Desiderius was able to obtain the support of the Franks and the pope, who convinced Ratchis to go back to Montecassino. Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, p. 46.
84. Contemporary sources do not mention the name of Desiderius’s daughter, as if there were a sort of damnatio memoriae. The name Ermengard is a modern invention. On this topic, see Barbero, Charlemagne, p. 41; Gasparri, I Longobardi tra oblio e memoria, pp. 263-269, and the introduction, p. 37.
85. Charlemagne.
86. Pippin III, son of Charles Martel, was king of the Franks from 751 to 768.
87. In reality Tassilo was duke of the Bavarians. Cf. Depreux, Tassilon III el le roi des Francs, pp. 23-73. This marriage, celebrated in 763, was arranged to mark the alliance of the Lombards with the Bavarians against the Franks. Tassilo, in fact, wished to get rid of the Frankish tutelage. In general, on Desiderius’s marriage policy, see Nelson, Making a Difference, and Gasparri, Il passaggio dai Longobardi ai Carolingi, p. 29. Rosamond McKitterick has hypothesized that Charlemagne never married the Lombard princess. Mckitterick, Charlemagne, pp. 86-88.
88. According to the Annales qui dicunt Einhardi, year 769, Charles was the elder.
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He sent her back to Ticinum whence he had earlier taken her. [89] When their mother heard this, she cursed her son Carloman. Struck by blindness, he ended his life badly. [90]
4. In those times Pope Leo governed the Roman Church. He suffered great violence from the Lombards. He left his see and went to Francia with many men very learned in letters, mainly cantors.
The people of the Franks rejoiced very much upon hearing that. Charles and his men went to the pope on foot and had him reside in a very good place, the city called Metz. The pope stayed there for three years and the cantors acquired there such great fame that their chanting has resounded as an ornament of the Church to the present day in almost all the cities of Francia and Italy.
Because the pope judged the people of the Franks to be astute and noble, he suggested that they attack the Lombards and take possession of Italy. He then relumed to his see in the Church of Rome. [91]
5. With the agreement of his men, Charles forgot the many good things that King Desideritis had given to him. Oaths were invalidated by order of the pope and Charles gathered a large army of Franks and went to Italy against the Lombards. [92] Through divine will, terror seized the Lombards and Charles invaded Italy without a serious battle in the eighteenth year of Desiderius’s rule, the fifteenth year of Adelchis, in the twelfth indiction, when two hundred five years had already elapsed since the Lombards had entered Italy. [93]
In that time Desiderius died. [94] His son Adelchis prepared some ships and went beyond the sea. [95]
There was a great distress in Italy — some were killed by the sword, others struck by hunger, others killed by wild animals - to a such degree that few remained in the villages and in the cities. [96]
89. Charlemagne’s biographer Einhard states that he does not know the motive for the repudiation. Einhard, Vita Karoli Magni, ch. 18.
90. Carloman died at the end of 771. Einhard reports that there was always harmony between the two brothers although some of Carloman’s partisans plotted to break the alliance between them. Einhard, Vita Karoli Magni, ch. 3. For the relationships between Charles and Carloman, see Barbero, Charlemagne, pp. 22-24.
91. In reality, it was Pope Hadrian who, shortly after Carloman’s death, in January 771, asked the Frankish sovereign to intervene in the conflict, but the pontiff never actually crossed the Alps. It was Pope Stephen II who made that trip at the end of 753 when the ruler of the Franks was Pippin III. Leo III traversed the mountains in 799, but with the aim of obtaining Charlemagne’s help against the Romans who had made an attempt on the pope’s life. Noble, The Republic of St Peter, pp. 292-293; Barbero, Charlemagne, pp. 19, 27-28, 89-91.
92. According to the eleventh century Italian Cronaca di Novalesa, III, 6, God indicated Charlemagne should go to Italy.
93. In Spring 773, Charlemagne gathered an army near Geneva, bypassed Lombard defenses on the Alps and entered the Po valley. The Lombard army, weakened by many defections, disbanded and King Desiderius took refuge in Pavia, the capital of the Lombard kingdom, that fell in June 774. Wickham, Early Middle Ages, p. 47; Barbero, Charlemagne, pp. 28-31 Agnellus of Ravenna, Liber pontificalis ecclesiae Ravennatis, ch. 160, recounts that the Archbishop of Ravenna, Leo, showed the Franks the way to Italy through one of his deacons. On the other hand, the Cronaca di Novalesa, III, 9-14, narrates that Charlemagne managed to avoid the Lombard defenses in the Alps thanks to the help of a Lombard minstrel.
94. The Cronaca di Novalesa, III, 14, relates that Charlemagne was able to enter Pavia because Desiderius’s daughter, who was in love with the Frankish king, opened a gate of the city to him, and that Charlemagne had the Lombard king blinded. This latter detail is also reported by the tenth-century Chronicon Salernitanum, ch. 9.
95. According to the Annales regni Francorum, year 774, Adelchis escaped to Constantinople. In 787, with the support of the Byzantines, Desiderius’s son landed in southern Italy, but was defeated by the Beneventan Lombards. Bertolini, Adelchi, re dei Longobardi, pp. 258-259. The Cronaca di Novalesa, III, 21-22, recounts that Adelchis secretly went back to Italy and that he ate at Charlemagne’s table in disguise giving proof of great strength.
96. Other sources emphasize that the Frankish invasion provoked serious damage to the Lombard kingdom. For example, in a document composed shortly before the fall of Pavia, it is stated that they were living in a period of «barbarous events.» The new ruler understood that the situation was grave. In 776 Charlemagne ordered that the contracts of the people, who, «forced by hunger,» sold themselves into slavery or sold their possessions at reduced prices, be annulled. Fumagalli, Il regno italico, pp. 3-5; Barbero, Charlemagne, pp. 33-36; Cammarosano, Nobili e re, p. 102.
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6. In that time Rotcausus was in command as duke of the Friulans [97] and in Vicenza there was Gaidus. [98] When they heard of the devastation caused by the Franks, of the arrival of Charles and that he was going to Cividale, they gathered all the men they could find, went towards them and, at the bridge called Livenza, [99] made great carnage of the Franks. [100]
Having heard these things, Charles sent the Lombards a message saying that he would receive and honor their oath of fidelity. The Dukes Rotcausus and Gaidus summoned a council with the nobles of the Friulans in order to oppose Charles in a manly way. One of those nobles, whose heart had been blinded by Charles’s gifts, gave this counsel: «What will we do? How can we resist them? We have no chief. The king, who gave us courage, has already been defeated. Let us swear fidelity to them; it will he well for us.» What can I say? They did as he wished and Charles preserved them in their offices. [101]
7. Having then subjugated Italy and reestablished order, Charles went to Rome where he built a palace. [102] Having pacified that territory and received oaths, he let his son Pippin rule Italy. [103] After some time, Charles went back to Francia, taking also the first-born children and the noblest men of all Italy with him as hostages. After not much time, they were honored by the same Charles and deserved to return to their homeland. [104]
Pippin died while his father was still alive. [105] He left a son, named Bernard, to whom Charles gave Italy. [106]
Italy had been distressed by famine, but, as Bernard took the kingdom, it attained to prestige and abundance, and thus it was for as long as he ruled. Having ruled for six years in Francia and forty-one after he had entered Italy, Charles, who was of old age and full of days, died in peace. [107] Thanks to him, the fame of the Franks grew greatly far and wide, as it has up to the present day.
lie left his place in Francia to his son Louis. [108] The latter began to be called emperor of the people of the Franks.
97. The Annales regni Francorum, year 776, state that Charlemagne appointed Rotcausus duke. On this duke, see Gasparri, I duchi longobardi, pp. 71-72.
98. Andreas’s Historia is the only source mentioning Gaidus. Cf. Gasparri, I duchi longobardi, p. 56.
99. The Livenza is actually a northeastern Italian river.
100. Ai ihc end of 775, Pope Hadrian sent Charlemagne a letter saying that the dukes of Spoleto, Benevento, Chiusi, and Iriuli were plotting with the Byzantines to give the Lombard crown to Desiderius’s son Adelchis. Codex Carolinus, number 57. Cf. Cammarosano, Nobili e re, p. 102, and Gasparri, Il passaggio dai Longobardi ai Carolingi, pp. 35-36.
101. In the Annales regni Francorum, year 776, the name of the duke of Friuli is Hrodgaud. The same source narrates that, when Charlemagne heard that the Lombards were planning a revolt, he immediately went to Italy, killed the duke of Friuli, conquered the rebellious cities, and pul them under the command of Franks. For a comparison of the sources, see the introduction, p. 22.
102. The late ninth-century Libellus de imperatoria potestate recounts that on that occasion Charlemagne resided in the palace of Saint Peter. Libellus de imperatoria potestate in urbe Roma, p. 198.
103. That is, the part of the Lombard kingdom Charlemagne conquered. Pippin was born in 777/778 and, on Easter 781, was baptized and anointed king of Italy by Pope Hadrian. In general, on Pippin, see Manacorda, Ricerche sugli inizi; Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, p. 49; Cammarosano, Nobili e re, pp. 140-142.
104. The Annales regni Francorum, year 787, report that Charlemagne look thirteen hostages from the Beneventans among whom there was Grimoald, son of the Duke of Benevento Arechis. The Frankish king later let Grimoald to return to Benevento. Cf. Kosto, Hostages in the Carolingian World, pp. 139-141.
105. Pippin died in 810.
106. Bernard was about thirteen when he became king of Italy. Because of his young age, Charlemagne gave him some assistants, among whom there was Adalard, who had held the same position under Pippin. Albertoni, L’Italia carolingia, p. 33; Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, p. 49. Einhard, Vita Karoli Magni, ch. 19, emphasizes that, by allowing Bernard to succeed Pippin, Charlemagne gave proof of the affection he bore for his grandson.
107. Charlemagne died in 814.
108. It is l.ouis the Pious (814-840), the only surviving son of Charlemagne.
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8. The wife of Louis, named Ermengard, held enmity against the King of the Lombards, Bernard. She sent him a message saying to come to her as if she wanted to make peace. He received oaths about this from some noble ambassadors and went to Francia. We have heard that, as soon as she could, she plucked out the eyes of Bernard. The emperor was unaware of this. Bernard died from the pain. He had reigned for five years, two under Charles and three under Louis. [109]
9. Emperor Louis was very learned, prudent in counsel, merciful, and a lover of peace. Under his rule, there was tranquility and peace everywhere. He loved lectors, cantors, and all those who serve God governing the churches.
He had three sons, that is, Lothar and Louis [110] from Ermengard, [111] and Charles [112] from Judith whom he married after Ermengard’s death. [113] While he was still alive, the abovementioned Louis granted Lothar the imperial title under him. [114]
10. Lothar had a son, named Louis, to whom his grandfather Louis granted Italy. [115] The emperor gave Bavaria to his son Louis and Aquitaine to Charles.
However, day after day, the major office, that is the imperial one, was becoming more and more controlled by Lothar. Evil men suggested that he take his stepmother Judith away from his father and take her to Italy, and they did so. They put her under custody in the city of Tortona. [116] Who could tell of the furor with which his father got vehemently angry? Lothar however had all the forces with him.
Then, after not many days, admitting that he had acted out of bad counsel, Lothar sent his stepmother back to his father and, inflamed with wrath against the men who had given him such evil counsel, he killed some of them and sent others into exile. [117]
11. At that time Archbishop Angilbert was ruling the Church of Milan. [118] The emperor [119] wanted to say that Angilbert had suggested that action. Some nobles went to Angilbert and put him in grace. They took him before the emperor, but he only bowed his head and said words of greeting; indeed, on account of the honor due to the churches, he refused to go to the feet of the emperor.
109. The Annales regni Francorum, years 817-818, narrate that some evil men suggested Bernard rebel. Louis the Pious immediately prepared an army to go to Italy, but, upon hearing this, Bernard surrendered. The emperor had the leaders of the conspiracy blinded. The biographer of Louis the Pious, Thegan, recounts that the advisors of Louis the Pious ordered the blinding of Bernard who died three days later from the injuries received. Thegan, Vita Hludoivici, chs. 22-23. According to the other biographer of Louis the Pious, Bernard died because he tried to resist during his blinding. Astronomer, Vita Hludonici, ch. 30. For further information and analysis of these events, see the introduction and the works quoted there.
110. Louis the German.
111. Louis the Pious actually had three sons from Ermengard. Andreas of Bergamo omitted Pippin. Riché, The Carolingians, p. I 15.
112. Charles the Bald.
113. Louis the Pious married ??ludith in HI9, shortly after Ermengard’s death. Riché, The Carolingians, p. 119.
114. Louis the Pious made Lothar co-emperor in 817. Riché, The Carolingians, pp. 147-148.
115. This information is not correct, as Louis II became king of Italy in 844, when Louis the Pious was already dead. In reality the latter gave Italy to Lothar. Riché, The Carolingians, pp. 147-148.
116. Louis’s biographers too relates this detail. Thegan, Vita Hludowici, ch. 42; Astronomer, Vita Hludovici, ch. 48.
117. Andreas’s Historia greatly simplifies the events. The birth of Charles the Bald led to a new subdivision of the Empire, which displeased the sons Louis the Pious had had from his first marriage. They rebelled against their father on several occasions, but were never able to create a strong alliance because they disagreed on many points. For more information about these struggles, see Riché, The Carolingians, pp. 150-157; Nelson, Charles the Bald, pp. 76-104.
118. Angilbert, who was probably Frankish, was archbishop of Milan from about 824 to 859. Berlolini, Angilberto, pp. 260-263; Ambrosioni, Gli arcivescovi nella vita di Milano, pp. 98 101.
119. Lothar.
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The emperor then said: «So you behave almost as if you were Saint Ambrose!» [120] The archbishop replied: «I am not Saint Ambrose but neither are you the Lord God.» At this the emperor added: «Go to my father whose hatred you made me have; bring me back into his good graces.»
Having heard this, Angilbert went to Francia. Emperor Louis received him with honor. While they were both eating at table, the emperor, raising an issue, said: «Good archbishop, what must a man do with his enemy?» Angilbert answered: «The Lord said in the Gospel: "Love your enemies and benefit those who hate you”» [121] The emperor said: «And if I do not do this?» The archbishop replied: «If you do not do this and if you die with this hatred, you will not have eternal life.»
The angry emperor then said: «If I take revenge on my adversary, shall I not have eternal life?» And immediately he added: «You will see, Angilbert, how you will defend these words.»
Having reached this position they waited until the following day. In the morning the emperor gathered some learned men to see if they could argue immediately with the archbishop about those words. The archbishop said in their presence: «Do you know that we are all brothers in Christ?» They then replied saying: «We know that, as we invoke one Father in Heaven.» Then he said: «So, if you know that we are all brothers, whether free or unfree, father or son, John the Apostle said: “He who hates his brother is a murderer and no murderer will have eternal life dwelling in him." If therefore you are believed to be a hateful murderer, how will you be able to have eternal life?» [122]
They were convinced and agreed to these words. The emperor then placed his hand on the ground, sought forgiveness, and returned his son to favor.
12. Louis reigned both alone and together with his son for twenty-seven years and Lothar for twenty-one years under his father.
In the third indiction, on the third day before the nones of May, at the ninth hour, during the litanies to the Lord, for about half an hour, the sun darkened in this world so much that the stars appeared in the sky. [123] There was great distress. As the people took notice of this, many believed that this world would not last any longer. But while they contemplated these afflictions, a trembling sun shone and began to chase away the shadows. The very night following, around matins, [124] a light appeared as if it were in the day. [125] These signs having appeared in the sky, the learned men said in their warnings: «Brothers, be ready, since what the Lord said in the Gospel has been fulfilled: "When you see these signs, know that it is because the great and manifest day of the Lord is near".» [126]
In the following month of June, Emperor Louis died and ended his days in peace. [127]
120. Ambrose (c. 340-397) is the patron saint of Milan.
121. Matt. 5:44.
122. John 3:15.
123. The Annales de Saint Bertin, year 840, too, report that this eclipse occurred in May at the ninth hour. This event is recorded in other sources as well. For example, Annales Fuldenses, year 840: Agnellus of Ravenna, Liber pontificalis, ch. 172; John the Deacon, Istoria Veneticorum, II. 50.
124. Early morning prayer.
125. The author is describing the aurora borealis (also called northern lights). Cf. Fumagalli, Il regno italico, p. 40; Id., Landscapes of Fear, p. 6.
126. Luke 21:31.
127. Nithard, Historie des fils de Louis le Pieux, I, 8, and the Annales Fuldenses, year 840, recount that Louis the Pious died in July. On the other hand, Les Annales de saint Bertin, year 840, agree with Andreas of Bergamo.
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13. After his death, dissension arose among these three brothers, with Louis and Charles on one side, and Lothar on the other. As neither side gave way, [128] they met in a place called Fontenoy. [129] After the battle arrays were set up here and there on both sides, there was a great slaughter, mainly of Aquitanian nobles. [130] There, because of evil contentions and improvidence, as many strong men died as, through good harmony and judicious decisions, could have prostrated many thousands of pagan enemies. [131] The nobility of the Aquitanians has been thus wiped out to the present day to the point that the Northmen also own their land and there is no one who can withstand the Northmen’s troops, but instead tributes are even given to them.
Lothar ruled after the death of his father both alone and together with his son Louis for 15 years; then he died. [132] He left three children, that is, the above-mentioned Louis, who ruled in Italy under him for six years, [133] Lothar in Francia, [134] and Charles in Provence. Charles however died after not many days. [135]
Lothar left his home and came to Italy to see his brother for the sake of peace. He talked to him in the territory of Benevento, in the village of Venosa. [136] But, on his return, he laid waste many houses of poor people and committed many blasphemous deeds. However, as he was returning, on the way he began to become sick. He suddenly died in the city of Piacenza, where his body was buried; in the same way many diseases struck his men as well. [137]
14. I have written few things about the deeds of the kings’ sons; my mind now goes on to other facts.
The Lombards underwent much weariness and harassment by the Slavic people until the emperor set up Everard as leader of the Friulans’ territory. [138] After his death, his son Unroch took up the leadership. [139]
<<-- “Multa fatigatio Langobardi et oppressio a Sclavorum gens sustinuit, usque dum imperator Foroiulanorum finibus Ebherardo principem constituit. Eo defuncto, Unhroch filio suo principatum suscepit.”
In Burgundy, there rose in revolt a certain cleric, named Hupert, who for a while had said that he was very faithful to Emperor Louis. Afterwards he joined some Burgundians and arranged for their lands to rebel, thus forgetting the many benefits that the emperor had bestowed on him and breaking the oaths he had sworn.
128. Lothar’s refusal to accept the way Louis the Pious divided the empire caused this dissension. Riché, The Carolingians, pp. 160-163.
129. Fontenoy is near Auxerre (northeast France).
130. The battle of Fontenoy look place in June 841. All primary sources relate that it was a bloody battle, but only Andreas of Bergamo mentions the detail about the Aquitanians. Cf. Nilhard, Histoire des fils de Louis le Pieux, II, 1-10; Angelbert, Versus de Bella quae fuit acla Fontaneto, pp. 138-130.
131. Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum, VI, 24, uses similar words to criticize a Lombard defeat by the Slavs.
132. Lothar died in 855.
133. Andreas of Bergamo is probably referring to the fact that Louis II was king of Italy from 844 to 850, the year in which Lothar appointed him co-emperor.
134. Lothar II inherited Lotharingia, i. e. the lands from the Netherlands to the Iura Mountains. Riché, The Carolingians, p. 172.
135. In reality Charles died in 863. Les Annales de Saint Bertin, year 863.
136. Venosa is in Basilicata.
137. Lothar II went to Italy in 869 to convince Pope Hadrian II to let him divorce his wife, Theutberga, and marry Waldrada. On this case, see Heidecker, The Divorce of Lothar II. Lothar II’s journey in Italy is described also by the Annales de Saint Bertin, year 869, which, however, do not mention the evil deeds the Frankish king committed.
138. Everard was appointed leader of Friuli around 830, when Lothar, Louis II’s lather, was still ruling in Italy. Everard was Frankish and his wife was Gisela, daughter of Louis the Pious and his second wife Judith. In general, on Everard, see Fees, Eberardo, marchese del Friuli, pp. 252-255, and La Rocca and Provero, The Dead and their Gifts, pp. 225-280. Everard’s deeds against the Slavs are praised also by Sedulius Scotus, Carmina, p. 220.
139. Everard died around the mid-860s.
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As the lord Louis heard these things, he sent Cunrath with other of his men against Hupert. Cunrath captured Hupert on the battlefield and killed him. Many of Hupert’s faction were killed. [140]
Before this revolt occurred, so much snow had fallen in Italy that it remained on the plains for a hundred days. The cold spell was so severe that many seeds died, vines dried up on almost all the plains and the wine froze in the vessels to a such degree that nothing came out from the taps of the vessels until one broke the ice in front of the taps with a club.
This occurred in the tenth year of the lord Emperor Louis, in the eighth indiction. [141]
Having considered these things briefly and truthfully, we continue to follow the original plan, just as we began it.
15. In the territory of Benevento the Augustus, lord Louis, experienced much harassment from the people of the Saracens, but he always stood up against them. He killed their leader, Amalmasser, along with many Saracens who were there. [142]
Those who remained fortified themselves in the citadel called Bari, which the emperor besieged for five years [143] with Franks, Lombards and allies of other nations. [144] Louis’s wife, named Angelberga, and many others were also with him.
16. Around this time a divine inspiration was kindled among the Bulgarian people, inasmuch as they became Christians and began to worship the Lord Christ. So great a love of charity came upon their king, that, by his own decision, he went to the church of the blessed Peter in Rome and brought gifts there. He was advised about the Catholic faith by the lord Pope Nicholas, [145] instructed in the knowledge of divine things, baptized and confirmed in the holy faith. He received some teachers from the same apostolic lord and went back to his homeland. [146]
<<-- [16.] Circa haec tempora in Vulgarorum gens divina aspiracio accensa est, quatenus christiani fierent et Christum dominum colerent, quo in tanto amor caritatis in eorum regem pervenit, ut per se ipse ad aecclesia beati Petri Roma veniens et ibi dona obtulit et a domno papa Nicholaus catholica fide monitus, divinitatis scientiae instructus, baptiçatus et fide sancta confirmatus, recepit doctores ab eodem domno apostolico, suam reversus est patriam.
17. While the lord Louis was keeping watch over Bari with his men, messengers came from the territory of Calabria, saying: «O lord emperor, we wish to be your subjects and we are confident that we will be rescued through your protection.
140. Hupert, brother of Theutberga, Lothar II’s wife, was a cleric who was able to create an autonomous dominion on the border between southwestern Switzerland and France. Riché, The Carolingians, p. 184. The Annales de Saint Bertin, year 864, recount that Hupert look some of Louis II’s possessions in France and that he was killed in 864. According to the Annales Xantenses, year 864, the Count of Auxerre, Conrad, and the abbot of Saint Germain of Auxerre killed Hupert.
141. Annales Fuldenses, year 860, report that in that year it was so cold that merchants could go to the Venetian islands using horses and carts instead of boats.
142. Amalmasser was probably the chief of the Muslim mercenaries whom the Prince of Benevento, Radelchis, hired, and who look control of Benevento in the late 840s. Louis II was asked to put an end to their raids. Musca, L’emirato di Bari, pp. 24-25, 33, 38-39. Kreutz, Before the Normans, pp. 30-32. The Cronicae Sancti Benedicti Casinensis, II. 14, relates that Louis had the Saracen leader beheaded. This source and Erchempert, however, call him Massar, while in the works of Ado of Vienne and of John the Deacon he is mentioned under the names of Amalmaler and Abomasale. Erchempert, Ystoriola Longobardorum Beneventum degentium, ch. 18; Ado of Vienne, Chronicon, p. 323; John the Deacon, Istoria Veneticorum, II, 52. It is believed that this episode occurred in 848. Gasparri, Il ducato e il principato di Benevento, p. 118.
143. Probably in 847 some Muslim mercenaries, hired by the Prince of Benevento, Kadelchis, took possession of Bari and created an autonomous emirate. The Saracens held the city until 871. In his account Andreas of Bergamo synthesizes several of Louis II’s campaigns. Cf. Musca, L’emirato di Bari.
144. A letter of Louis II to the Byzantine emperor Basil records the presence of a Slavic fleet, Chronicon Salernitanum, p. 117. It is believed that it was led by the Slavic ruler Domagoj, who wanted to drive the Muslims out of the Adriatic sea. Musca, L’emirato di Bari, p. III. The Venetians, too, contributed to the military operations against the Saracens by defeating a Muslim fleet near Taranto, John the Deacon Istoria Veneticorum, III, 5.
145. Nicholas (858-867).
146. In reality the Bulgarian sovereign never went to Rome. He did, however, send some emissaries to the pope who gave them a letter for their king describing the precepts for being a good Christian. Riché, The Carolingians, p. 176.
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The people of the Saracens came, sacked our land, emptied the cities, and destroyed the churches. We ask of you only that you grant us a commander who can help and strengthen us. We will swear oaths to you and will give tributes to you.»
Then, the lord emperor, moved with compassion, not rejoicing in their lucrative promise, but feeling sorrow over their ills, chose strong and very noble men: Otto of the territory of Bergamo, [147] and the bishops Oschis and Gariard. [148] The lord emperor comforted the messengers and said: «Go in peace, faithful of Christ; the good angel of the Lord will come with you so that I might also see you and he worthy of the hardships I lay upon you.»
They then left with the envoys and, wherever they went, they received oaths of fealty and gathered more and more supporters from that people.
As they arrived in a certain valley, [149] where the Saracens, confident and without any fear, were harvesting together with the captives they had, the Christians rushed upon them, killing all of the Saracens they found there, and freed the captives.
When their prince, named Cincimo, heard these things, he departed from the city of Amantea [150] and went towards them fully armed. The Franks found this out and met the Saracens, the former on one side and the latter on the other. There was a great slaughter of Saracens, who fled. The Christians went after them, killing them up to the city gate.
Otto, the bishops, and their followers then went hack to the lord emperor in triumph. The emperor rejoiced very much and granted them offices. [151]
18. From his men and with the help of his homeland, Cincimo gathered a multitude of Saracens, who undertook the trip and went to Bari with him to repair the many losses of the soldanus. [152]
It was reported to them that the Christians would celebrate a great day, as it was a feast day, that is, the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore they said: «They are worshiping their god on that day. They will neither fight nor take up arms. Let us go upon them and take them all in their guilelessness!»
This suggestion was reported to the emperor. He then ordered that, at dawn, at the cockcrow, the bishops and the priests would celebrate solemn masses, and that the people would receive communion and the benediction, and they did so. And they went out searching for the Saracens, and the Saracens searching for the Franks; they met each other at the place ...
147. Otto was count of Bergamo, Jarnut, Bergamo, pp. 21, 22, 68, 256.
148. The presence of bishops at the head of troops was not unusual in the early Middle Ages. Prinz, Klerus and Krieg im früheren Mittelalter.
149. It is probably the valley of Crati. Musca, L’emiratu di Bari, p. 115. Noyé, La Calabre entre Byzantins, Sarrasins et Normands, p. 91, note 4.
150. Amantea is on the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast, southwest of Cosenza.
151. The defeat inflicted on the Muslims in Calabria is also mentioned in Chronicon Salernitanum, ch. 108.
152. In this period, the ruler of Bari was Sawdān. Other Latin sources call him Seodan, Saugdan etc. It has been argued that this word indicated the name of the emir, not the office of sultan which would represent an anachronism for the ninth century. Musca, L’emirato di Bari, p. 61; Vasilev, Byzance et les Arabes, p. 264, note 2. This has been later denied by Lewis, The Political Language of Islam, pp. 51-52. As Andreas of Bergamo calls him soldanus, which seems to indicate a confusion between the name and the office, I have decided to keep this term. It is worth noting that the Byzantine Fmperor, Constantine VII, refers to this ruler as Andreas does. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, De administrando imperio, p. 128.
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They made a loud sound of trumpets, of horses neighing, and of clashing of peoples. As they joined together, the faithful of Christ prayed, saying: «O Lord Jesus Christ, you said: ‘He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will remain in me and I in him.’ [153] So, "if you are with us, what is against us?"» [154]
The battle was joined immediately. As they were fighting with forceful exertion, heavenly weapons helped the Christians. The pagans turned their backs and began to flee. The Christians went after them and did not stop until they had killed a multitude of pagans and taken the money intended for the soldanus.
19. Hearing this, the soldanus began to be sad with great fear. In the following month of February, [155] in the twenty-first year of his rule, [156] in the fourth indiction, having passed the fifth year since the siege of Bari, the lord emperor captured the soldanus and killed the Saracens who remained there. [157]
When the Saracens heard of these things in their land, they chose the strongest men among them - twenty thousand, as we have heard — saying: «The dishonor of our men who have been killed is echoing loudly; let us go there!»
Having prepared a fleet, they boarded, sailed, and arrived in the territory of Benevento. Then they said in their arrogant impudence: «Why do we have to rely on our ships? Let us destroy them, for the Franks can do nothing against us. And should they prevail against us, they could go to our kingdom without any fear.» Having done what they had said, they began to look for the Franks.
This was reported to the lord emperor, who immediately sent his commanders, that is, Hunroch, Agefrid, and Boso, with a chosen host of Franks, Lombards, and men of other nations. They met at Saint Martin, on the road near Capua, on the Volturno. The troops fought with great energy on both sides and, thanks to the help of God’s mercy, a countless multitude of Saracens was overcome and vanquished, as those whom the sword did not slay drowned in the Volturno river. The others managed to flee, albeit with difficulty.
Thus God’s justice was pleased: "those who had come exalted were humbled.” [158]
20. Having obtained the victory, the lord emperor resided in the palace of Benevento. At that time Adelchis was governing the principality of the Beneventans. [159] The emperor fully trusted him and they esteemed each other with the love of charity.
The ancient enemy, [160] who always seeks enmity against love, acted through evil men, who were secretly saying to each other: «Why are we oppressed under Frankish dominance?»
153. John 6: 56.
154. Rom. 8: 31.
155. The Venetian chronicler John the Deacon relates that Bari was conquered on the second of February. On the other hand, a Cassinese calendar and eleventh-century annals, which report the wrong year, state that the city’s fall occurred on the third of February. N. Cilento and G. Musca are in favor of the latter date. John the Deacon, Istoria Veneticorum, It, 6; Lupus Protospatharius, Annales, p. 52; Lowe, Die ältesten Kalendarien aus Monte Cassino, p. 15; Cronaca della dinastia di Capua, p. 319, note 7; Musca, L’emirato di Bari, p. 115, nole 50.
156. 871.
157. Also the other sources mentioning the conquest of Bari - see Musca, L’emirato di Bari, p. 114, note 50 are as laconic as Andreas of Bergamo. The only exception is John the Deacon, Istoria Veneticorum, III, 6.
158. Cf. Matt. 23: 12, and Luke 14: 11.
159. Adelchis was prince of Benevento from 853 to 878. Cilento, Adelchi (Adelgiso), p. 259.
160. The devil.
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The Beneventans acted all together fraudulently to return evil for good."‘1 Wherever they found the emperor’s men, they held them in those places in order not to let them go back to the emperor. The Franks were in fact spread out in castles and cities, free from all fear and trusting in the loyalty of the Beneventans. This hostility lasted for thirty-five days, from the ides of August until the 15,h day from the kalends of October, in the fifth indiction.
But God, who had appointed the lord emperor to govern the imperial kingdom, was with him, just as one reads: "The heart of the king is in God’s hand.”"‘2 And therefore he had his men go to the emperor.
A heavenly tear rushed upon the Beneventans; the number of the Franks was so great that, in order to have peace, the Beneventans freed them. Full of joy, the Franks returned to the lord emperor.163
As the year went on, many signs appeared. After being harvested and put into vessels, the wine became immediately agitated, an event which is called turning.161 On that Easter it seemed as if dirt were raining down among the trees, the leaves and other places. Moreover, on the fourth day of the nones of the following month of’May, hoar-frost fell. In the plains and in the valleys many vine-leaves and grapes dried up, and in a similar way the forests and their tender leaves withered. In the following month of August, many locusts came from the region of Vicenza to the territory of Brescia, then to the territory of Cremona. Finally they proceeded to the area around Lodi, and also to Milan. They were proceeding all together, just like Solomon said: "Locusts have no king, hut proceed in throngs." [165] They destroyed many small grains, that is, millet and foxtail millet. [166]
This happened on the completion of the hundredth year since the Franks entered Italy, in the twenty-third year of the lord Emperor Louis’s rule, in the fourth month, at the end of the sixth indiction. [167]
At the beginning of the seventh indiction, that is, 873 years from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the emperor left the territory of Benevento after achieving many victories over the Saracens. [168]
161. Cf. Prov. 17: 13. Jer. 18: 20. Rom. 12: 17. I Thess. 5: 15. 1.
162. Prov. 21:1.
163. According to the southern Lombard chronicler Erchempert, the prince of Benevento imprisoned Louis II because the Franks, inspired by the devil, were persecuting his subjects, Erchempert, Ystoriola Langobardorum Beneventum degentium, ch. 34. The Annales de Saint Bertin, year 871, report that the Beneventans rebelled as Louis II, instigated by his wile, was planning to exile Adelchis. The empress is explicitly blamed for what happened in Chronicon Salernitanum, ch. 108. The Neapolitan chronicler John the Deacon narrates that the Duke of Naples, Sergius, fomented the Lombards against the emperor as the latter had intervened against the duke in defense of the bishop of Naples, Gesta episcoporum Neapolitanorum, ch. 65. On the other hand, Regino of Prüm, Chronicon, year 871, recounts that the Byzantines incited the prince of Benevento to capture Louis II, while the Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII, states that the emir of Bari was responsible for that. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, De administrando imperio, p. 130. For a detailed analysis of the different versions, see Granier, La captivité de l’empereur Louis II à Bénévent, pp. 13-39. The imprisonment of Louis II is attributed to the Beneventans’ fear that the sovereign intended to annex Southern Italy. Russo Mailler, La politica meridionale, pp. 12-1 I; Gasparri, Il ducato e il principato di Benevento, pp. 125-126; Kreutz, Before The Normans, pp. 45-4,.
164. A deterioration of wine.
165. Prov. 30: 27.
166. At this time, these types of cereals were chosen for their resistance to bad weather. Montanari, L’alimentazione contadina, pp. 114, 133-144.
167. Many sources mention the damages the locusts caused in 873 in different parts of Europe. Les Annales de saint Bertin, year 873; Annales Fuldenses, year 873; Annates Vedastini, year 873; Annates Xantenses, year 873; Regino of Prüm, Chronicon, year 873.
168. The Chronicon Salernitanum, chs. 117-118, provides a detailed account of the way Louis II was convinced to help the Lombards against the Muslims and how his troops defeated the Saracens.
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22. Then, after a year, that is, in the eighth indiction, a comet star, resembling a tail with long rays, appeared in the sky for the whole month of June, from morning to evening. [169] Then in the month of July the Saracens came and burned the city of Comacchio. [170]
In the following month of August, Emperor Louis died, on the day before the ides of August in the territory of Brescia.
The Bishop of Brescia, Anthony, look his body and placed it in a tomb in the church of St. Mary, where the body of Saint Filastricus rests.
Through his archdeacon, the Archbishop of Milan, Anspertus, ordered the bishop of Brescia to return the body, but the bishop refused. Then the archbishop told the Bishop of Bergamo, Garibald, and the Bishop of Cremona, Benedict, to go there with their priests and all their clerics, just as the archbishop himself did. And the bishops did so and went there. They pulled the emperor out from the ground and wonderfully embalmed him. They placed him in a coffin five days after his death and brought him to Milan with every honor, singing hymns to God.
I speak the truth in Christ. I was there, I carried it for a part of the trip and I walked with the bearers from the river, which is named Oglio, to the river Adda. I laving then taken him to the city of Milan, they buried him with great honor and tearful weeping in the church of the blessed confessor Ambrose [171] in a day of the saint’s week.
He was emperor for twenty-six years, that is, for six years while his father was still alive, and for twenty years after his father’s death.
23. After his death, great distress came upon Italy. The aristocrats gathered in the city of Ticinum with their queen Angelberga in the month of September, in the ninth indiction, and they gave her evil counsel, inasmuch as they wanted to invite two kings, that is, Charles in Francia and Louis in Bavaria; [172] so they did. [173]
Charles then came, not knowing about Louis. Nor did Louis know that Charles was coming. Louis sent his son, named Charles, [174] and, on account of the distance, the men began to call him Little Charles. King Charles went to Pavia; Little Charles went to the territory of Milan. And when he found out that his uncle was in Pavia, the men, who had joined Little Charles, began to do many evil deeds. Berengar [175] immediately went to the territory of Bergamo with another great multitude of men and remained in the monastery of Fara [176] for one week, devastating houses, committing adulteries, and setting fires.
169. This comet is mentioned by the Annales Fuldenses, year 875, as well.
170. The Venetian chronicler John the Deacon narrates that, before attacking Comacchio, the Muslims tried to sack Grado, but lifted the siege when they heard that the Venetian fleet was arriving. John the Deacon, Istoria Veneticorum, III, 12.
171. Also the Annales Fuldenses, year 875, report that Louis II was buried in St. Ambrose.
172. They are respectively Charles the Bald and Louis the German, who were Louis II’s uncles.
173. Louis II died without a male heir, which led to limits among his relatives for the succession. Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, pp. 169-170; Riché, The Carolingians, pp. 199-205. According to the Libellus de imperatoria potestate, pp. 207-208, Pope John VIII invited Charles the Bald, while Empress Angelberga solicited Carloman, Louis the German’s son.
174. Charles the Fat.
175. Berengar, who was the son of Everard, became leader of Friuli after the death of his brother Unroch In 888 Berengar was able to obtain the crown of king of Italy. Wickham, Early Medieval Italy, pp. 169-170, Arnaldi, Berengario I, pp. 1-26.
176. The modern Fara Gera d’Adda. Cf. Del Bello, Indice toponomastico altomedievale del territorio di Bergamo, p. 77, note 22.
95
Many Bergamasques then abandoned their houses full of wine and the harvest and went to the city [177] or the mountains [178] with only their wives and paraments. [179]
When King Charles heard about these things, he immediately proceeded after these evildoers with a multitude of people from the territory of Bergamo, went to Brescia, then to Verona, and then to Mantua.
Little Charles went to Bavaria. His brother Carloman then went to meet his uncle, King Charles, and came to the river which is called Brenta; they greeted each other with peaceful words, and established a truce until the month of May. [180]
Carloman went to Bavaria. King Charles went to Rome, brought gifts to the church of Saint Peter, [181] and was anointed and crowned emperor by Pope John. [182] Charles then returned to Pavia in the month of January, in the above-mentioned ninth indiction. [183]
24. Emperor Charles returned to Pavia from Rome and, while he was residing there, he heard that the son of Louis, Carloman, was coming against him. [184] While he was gathering his army to fight him, some of his men, whose fidelity he trusted greatly, abandoned him and joined Carloman. [185] Having seen that, Charles fled and went to Gaul, but died suddenly during the journey. [186]
Having established order in the kingdom of Italy, Carloman returned to his father in Bavaria shortly thereafter. [187]
Meanwhile, King Louis [188]
177. Bergamo.
178. The inhabitants of Bergamo’s lerritory were forced to seek shelter in the city or mountains probably because there were no fortified structures in that area. Cl. Settia, Castelli e villaggi nell’Italia padana, pp. 51 and 444; Id., Potere e sicurezza nella bergamasca del secolo X, pp. 53-54.
179. It is not clear whether the chronicler meant ecclesiastical ornaments or the clothing of the Bergamasques.
180. The Annales Fuldenses, year 875, which report the “German" version of these events, narrate that, when Louis the German heard that Charles the Bald went to Italy, he immediately sent his son Carloman to Italy. Charles the Bald, described as a fearful person, gave Carloman many precious gilts, promising him the Italian crown and that he would go back to France if the son of Louis the German would withdraw. Charles the Bald however did not keep his word and went to Rome where he was crowned emperor. The “French" version is narrated in Annales de Saint Bertin, year 875, which recount that Charles the Bald put Charles the Fat to flight and that, when Carloman arrived, he chose to make an agreement with his uncle and to go back to Germany.
181. Andreas of Bergamo is probably referring to the throne, known as cathedra Petri, and the Bible of St. Paul. Nees, Charles the Bald and the «cathedra Petri», pp. 343-344.
182. Pope John VIII (872-882) crowned Charles the Bald emperor on Christmas 875. On this event, see Nelson, Charles the Bald, pp. 239-242, and Arnaldi, Natale 875: Politica, ecclesiologia e cultura del papato altomedievale. The Annales Fuldenses, year 875, state that Charles the Bald obtained the imperial crown by bribing the Romans in the same way as Jugurtha had done with the ancient Romans.
183. At Pavia the archbishop of Milan as well as some bishops and counts swore loyalty to Charles the Bald and elected him king of Italy. Cammarosano, Nobili e re, p. 189.
184. Andreas of Bergamo made a mistake as, after being elected king of Italy, Charles the Bald went back to France. He returned to Italy in Summer 877. Nelson, Charles the Bald, pp. 243-253.
185. The Annales de Saint Bertin, year 877, recount that, while Charles the Bald was in Tortona (Italy) with Pope John VIII and was waiting for the arrival of the most important aristocrats of his kingdom, he heard that they were organizing a plot, that they would never go to Italy, and that Carloman was coming. The emperor then decided to return to France. Nelson, Charles the Bald, pp. 251-252.
186. According to the Annales de Saint Bertin, year 877, Charles the Bald died because his Jewish doctor had poisoned him. On the other hand, the Annales Fuldenses, year 877, relate that the emperor died of dysentery.
187. The Annales Fuldenses, year 877, report that Carloman fell ill and was taken to Germany by using a litter.
188. As the sentence is unfinished, one cannot he sure whether the author was referring to Louis, Charles the Bald’s son, or to Louis the German, Carloman’s father.